15/07/2014 14:05
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COLUMBIA - Two city advisory boards voted against a proposal that would fine Columbia residents who plant cannabis instead of charging them with crimes.
The fine would affect people who only grow up to six marijuana plants for private use.
The Panel of Health elected 8-1 on Thursday evening to oppose the regulation which was tabled by the Columbia City Authority in April for further input
Board participant David Sohl cited problems that included where individuals would get cannabis seeds, what legal issues could follow between a property owner and a renter growing cannabis and whether or not organisations would have to compose new drug regulations for employees.
Columbia has nowhere near the structure to assist the suggested town law, Sohl stated.
Local attorney and cannabis activist Dan Viets helped produce the ordinance along with city attorney Nancy Thompson and Sixth Ward Council lady Barbara Hoppe.
The proposal would decriminalize the cultivation of as much as six marijuana crops. And the ones exceeding that limit would face monetary consequences: People with a doctor's recommendation would just face a $50 fine, and people without would be given either a $250 fine or probation.
"Columbia has all of the infrastructure we need to implement another city ordinance," Viets said.
Fellow members of the health panel stated they had reservations about how the proposal would affect students.
“We need to be particularly cautious with the public wellness of teenagers when considering health rules in a school town,” Lynelle Phillips said.
Elizabeth Hussey, a vet at Horton Animal Hospital and member of the board, was the sole vote in support of the proposition. Hussey claimed she thinks problems raised by other board members were valid but also "could be fixed if the main aid is there."
The Drug Abuse Advisory Committee voted 6-3 on Wed mid-day against the suggestion, member Mitchell Moore claimed.
Viets thinks the judgements were based essentially on a lack of understanding of how the law works.
"If you purchase it, you need to seek out a drug seller - that's a misdemeanor," Viets mentioned."But if you try to plant it yourself, that is Ten years to life.That's nuts. Even if you think marihuana needs to be illegal, why would you want to enrich drug sellers rather than having a sensible consequence for planting? "
Prior to the Aug. 4 city council meeting, the panel will present its report and justification for not assisting the ordinance.
The panel expects to offer its suggestion to the council in August.